San Diego State University (SDSU) vs U of A
San Diego State University (SDSU) and University of Arizona (UA) are two prominent public research universities located in vibrant cities with distinct characteristics. SDSU, situated in the heart of San Diego, California, offers a diverse range of academic programs and boasts a strong emphasis on experiential learning. In contrast, UA, nestled in the historic city of Tucson, Arizona, is renowned for its robust research endeavors and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degrees. While both universities share similarities in terms of academic excellence and vibrant campus life, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into the specifics and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() San Diego State University |
![]() University of Arizona |
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Overview |
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Location | San Diego, California | Tucson, Arizona |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 90.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 37.9% | 87.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | N/A | 1120 - 1370 |
ACT range | N/A | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 67,660 | 48,065 |
Total number of admissions given out | 25,646 | 41,946 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,269 | 8,436 |
Yield rate | 20.5% | 20.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,256
Out of state:
$40,136
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In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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Average net price | $6,867 | $17,242 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$12,824
Meal plan:
$6,344
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Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
47.0%
Average amount $9,026 |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
18.0%
Average amount $5,015 |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $21,638 |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
31,321
Men 43.1% Women 56.9% |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Graduate students |
5,163
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 24.2% | 48.8% |
International students | 5.5% | 6.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,514 | 7,036 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Texas New Jersey | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 26:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 76.2% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 20.5% | 14.3% |
Transferred out | 1.4% | 19.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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